Torres to finally face Atletico

Liverpool talisman Fernando Torres will have another opportunity to face his former club Atletico Madrid this summer, after the Reds announced a pre-season friendly with the rojiblancos at Anfield in August. El Nino made more than 200 league appearances for the Vicente Calderon outfit from 2001-07, scoring 82 goals, before joining Rafael Benitez's Spanish revolution on Merseyside, where he has been equally as destructive in the Premier League. The 25-year-old Spain international has netted 37 top-flight goals in just 55 outings, helping Liverpool run arch-rivals Manchester United close in this season's race for the league title. However, despite helping dispose of Atletico's city rivals Real in the Champions League last 16, the popular front-man was denied the opportunity to face his former club in the group stages of the competition due to injury. But he will now be offered a second bite at the cherry, with the Reds due to welcome Atletico to Anfield on Saturday August 8, kick-off 3pm. Liverpool will meet another Spanish side in pre-season, travelling to Barcelona a week earlier to play Albert Riera's former club Espanyol in the periquitos' new Cornella-El Prat stadium. LIVERPOOL FANS! Check FourFourTwo.com’s ever-expanding interviews archive for more stuff to read: Web Exclusives Ian Rush, Craig Johnston Q&A Steven Gerrard, Fernando Torres One on One Michael Owen, Nicolas Anelka, Kevin Keegan Boy's A Bit Special Danny Guthrie Ask A Silly Question John Barnes, Peter Crouch, Luis Garcia, John Aldridge Perfect XI Jamie Carragher What Happened Next? Julian Dicks And Another Thing Being a Big Four fan Plus! Rate Liverpool players (and others) on Talentspotter